Denver abandons alcohol ban for Wash Park; will other measures work?

By Jon MurrayThe Denver Post

Posted:
04/29/2014 03:13:40 PM MDT

Updated:
04/30/2014 12:26:18 AM MDT

In recent summers, social-media-fueled gatherings have flooded Washington Park with volleyball, beanbag toss, DJs and other activities. Drunken behavior has irritated neighbors. And other problems have cropped up.

Denver officials have a new plan to control any excess this year — one that stops short of a full alcohol ban requested by some. For now, visitors will be able to bring 3.2 percent beer.

But caution reigned at Tuesday's announcement of the new measures, which include more patrolling, a new large-activity permit on weekends, directing cars to South High School's parking lot and extending restroom hours. The expected tab this summer: $100,000.

The changes take effect Memorial Day weekend. Whether they will work, though, is anybody's guess.

On hand outside the park's Boathouse were advocates on opposite sides of the debate who helped shape the plan.

Both had reservations.

David Matthews, a board member of the West Washington Park Neighborhood Association, wanted a full alcohol ban.

"I'm cautious," said Matthews, 70, quickly adding: "If you would've been here at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, with 1,000 or 2,000 people out there, and you had a park ranger trying to issue tickets and get things under control, I'm afraid (it wouldn't work)."

During the back-and-forth, Sarah Spivey, 36, went from sending social-media invites for game days at the park to organizing a petition against Nevitt's proposed ban.

Now, though, she and others are working on a social-media campaign to encourage responsible behavior by park users.

"I think it's a start," Spivey, who lives near the park, said of the new measures. "It's a way for us, as park patrons, to stand up and say, 'OK, we hear you. We have to make a difference ourselves.' "

For the city's part, Parks and Recreation will devote at least two rangers and as many as four each weekend and holiday to patrol the park, issuing citations (starting at $100) more often than warnings, executive director Lauri Dannemiller said. Police also will send mounted patrols on heavy-use days.

Officials hope the new "drop-in" weekend permit will limit the duration and space used by organized games, including volleyball. Fees and other details still are being set, but Dannemiller says a staffer will issue permits on site.

Mayor Michael Hancock said that while the city increases its attention to one of the city's largest and most popular parks, park users have an equal responsibility to abide by the rules.